Frances A. Walton is the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of Empire State Development (ESD). She is responsible for Treasury, Budgeting, Accounting, Portfolio Management, Contract Administration/Subsidiary Finance, Loans & Grants, Project Finance, Administration, Management Information System and Human Resources. Prior to joining ESD, she served as Senior Vice President and Director of Mortgage Insurance Fund at the State of New York Mortgage Agency wherein she directed the operation of the Mortgage Insurance Fund. Previous to that, Ms. Walton managed new business development and municipal banking activities covering the State of New York and other key markets for Chemical Securities; which followed her service as Director of Public Finance for Lebenthal & Co., Inc. From 1982 to 1992, Ms. Walton served in various management positions with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, subsequent to holding the position of Associate with Faulhaber & Company, a Boston‐based management consulting and financial advisory firm. Ms. Walton received a Bachelor of Arts from Bard College and Masters in Public Administration from Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.